Empire City Casino does its part to help Bronx

The Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts announced this week it has continued to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to Bronx nonprofits that fund programs to fight food insecurity, educational initiatives and workforce development.

The casino, which is up for one of three downstate full casino licenses from the state, continues to be in on its “All In” philanthropic support of the Bronx.

“We are committed to giving back to our local communities and the Bronx is a primary partner,” said Taryn Duffy, vice president of public affairs at Empire City Casino. “More than one-third of our workforce call the Bronx home, and supporting our neighbors is part of our company DNA.”

The casino, which is at the Yonkers Raceway, has supported such organizations as BronxWorks, a nonprofit that provides key services to uplift and empower Bronx communities; the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

BronxWorks was the recipient of a grant for $30,000 to fund the STEM program for young people attending school from kindergarten to fifth grade.

“As we mark 50 years of proudly serving Bronx communities, including 60,000 Bronx residents annually, we are fortunate to have corporate partners who step up to serve their community in many ways and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts is no exception,” said Eileen Torres, BronxWorks executive director.

Nonprofit organizations also heavily rely on the volunteer services to supplement their typically limited staff. Volunteerism is core the employee culture at MGM Resorts properties across the world, according to the company.

Employees have exceeded more than 1 million volunteer hours to charitable organizations.

Just last year, Empire City initiated a graffiti cleanup in the Bronx, which was expanded to become a Bronx Day of Action jointly held with the Bronx chamber and Council member Althea Stevens near Jerome Avenue and 170th Street.